Low-capacity switch



July 16, 1929. b, T RN 112L420 LOW CAPACEETY SWITCH Filed Jan. 18, 1926 Fi .3 r p 6 3 r Inventor-"3 Otto StLirner: by M His Attorney.

Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

o'rro sTiiRNIiR, or BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR 5110 GENERAL .ELEc'rRIo coMPANY.

A coRroRA'rIoN on NEW YORK.

LOW-CAPACITY SWITCH.

Application filed January 1s, 192e, Serial No. 81,880, and in Germany ranuar 'ae, 1925.

My present invention relates to switches, and more particularly to low capacity switches adapted to be employed in connection with wireless signaling systems.

In the operation of wireless signaling systems, it is of great importance to avoid all capacitative shunts. In receivers, for example, which employ several stages of radio and audio amplification, change-over switches are required. Such switches as' hitherto constructed, however, possess relatively high capacity, causing thereby output losses and undesirable coupling effects.

These defects are due mainly to the fact that the contact members of the switches are arranged withparallel plane surfaces.

. According to my present invention, a low capacity switch is secured by the avoidance of all parallel switch contact surfaces, all contact members of the switch being arranged at an angle to one another. The arrangement of the contact members at an angle of 90 is specially favorable. If this is increased still further however, and the contact members of the switch are arranged in the same axial direction, i. e., at an angle of 180 the capacity between the contact members is then reduced to a minimum.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation will best be understood from fication taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a low'capacity switch with the contacts thereof arranged at the ends of the switch members; Fig. 2 shows an elevation of a multi-stage switch; Fig. 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the multi-stage switch shown in Fig. 2.

If the angle at which the different contact members of the switch are placed to one another is 180 the contact members coacting with one another will lie axially in the same'plane. In Fig. 1 this arrangement is represented diagrammatically. In this'figure 2'. is one contact pin and 7c the counter contact. Contact s'ia fixed in position, while is is arranged to be movable axially in a guide Z. The contact A: is biased to open p0- sition by means of spring m. If counter casing 0.

. shown in open position.

the following speciz and k are moved 1nto engagement with each other. Contact pins 71 and k are preferably of round, cross sectional form. Furthermore, the actual contact surfaces of'the pins are shaped in such a manner, for example spherically, that no parallel surfaces occur in the switch.

The device shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is a switch for three different stages, eachstage having five breaking or contact points. The

contact pins o'are arranged in an annular portion of a vertical casing 0'. These pins are biased to open position by means of springs 11' and have preferably the form shown in Fig. 1. The corresponding counter contact pins g are fixed in position in an outer, annular and concentric portion of the The connection of the line to contact pins 0 is effected at contact lugs e,

while the contact pins 9 are provided withconnecting lugs 1". As already stated the switch illustrated is a three stage switch, the five contact pins associated with stage 1 being shown in closed position, while the contacts associated with stages 2 and 3 are contacts is effected by means of a cam t which may move five of the contact pins into the closed position for the time being. It is not necessary, however, that the, five contact pins situated adjacent to one another shall be actuated. The arrangement 'may be such that, for one step, every'third contact may be actuated, or if desired actuating member if may be arranged to simultaneously control any number of its in-. dividual switches.

.In order to further reduce capacitat-ive effects, contact lugs r, for the connection to the'movable pins, are preferably arranged so that they do not lie on the same circumference. but so that at least two adjacent contact lugs are staggered with respect to one another. The external contact lugs r v are arranged in a similar manner.

Movement of the fixed in position and the other of said-members being movable longitudinally to engage one end of said fixed member.

2. A wireless apparatus comprising a casing, a switch mounted on said casing-,- said switch comprising a pair of cooperating switch members permanently arran ed in ''alignment with each other, one of sai members being fixed in position and the other of said members being' movable longitudinally to engage one end of said fixed member, said members being provided with spherical contact surfaces.

3. A wireless apparatus comprising a casing, a plurality of switches mounted thereon each switch comprising a fixed radial outer member and an inner radial movable member adapted to cooperate therewith, and a central cam member adapted to cooperate with the inner ends of said radially movable members to move them into contact with said outer members each of said contacts being provided with contact lugs.

4. A wireless apparatus comprising a casing, a plurality of radially arranged switches thereon, each of said switches comprising a stationary member and a longitudinally movable memberin alignment with said stationary member, one member of each switch having connecting means whereby said member may be included in an electric circuit, the connecting means on adjacent members being arranged in staggered relation.

5. A wireless apparatus comprising a casing, a'plurality of radially arranged switches mounted on said casing, each of said switches including a stationary member and a longitudinally movable member in alignment with the stationary member, the members of each switch being providedwith connecting means whereby said members may be included in an electric circuit, the connecting means as sociated with the movable members being so arranged that adjacent connecting members lie on the circumference of circles which have different diameters.

6; A wireless apparatus comprising a casing, having an outer and an inner annular portion, said outer portion bein provided with radial recesses of varying epth, contacts mounted in said recesses,-radially arranged switching members mounted on said outer annular portion and cooperating with said contacts and a plurality ofswitch members mounted on said inner annular portion and adapted to 000 erate with said first mentioned switch mem ers.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of December, 1925. 

